Classes suspended as Maring intensifies

MANILA, Philippines - Classes are suspended today in parts of Metro Manila and Luzon as Tropical Storm Maring (international name Trami) enhances the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rains.

Maring, which intensified from a tropical depression, hovered over Itbayat, Batanes yesterday.

Robert Sawi, weather division chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the rest of Luzon would be cloudy with scattered light rains and thunderstorms.

“The western section of Luzon will have moderate to occasionally heavy rains which may trigger flashfloods/landslides particularly in Metro Manila, Ilocos, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan and Bulacan,” Sawi said.

Maring had brought monsoon rain over parts of the country, including Metro Manila, for several days.

Maring, the 13th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, maintained its strength as it moved eastward slowly before noon yesterday.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Maring was spotted at 560 km east of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

It was forecast to move east northeast slowly at seven kph.

The storm is predicted to be at 710 kilometers east of Itbayat this morning; 910 km northeast of Itbayat tomorrow morning; and 940 km northeast of Itbayat by Wednesday morning.

Sawi said Maring is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday.

PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz, however, said latest numerical models showed Maring might return as its movement was being affected by another weather system north of it.

“We expect Maring to make a u-turn, it might return. We expect it to remain inside PAR until Wednesday,” Loiz said.

Maring was expected to bring five to 15 millimeters per hour of rain (moderate to heavy) within its 300-km radius.

It will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the western section of Luzon.

“Fishermen especially those using small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of northern and central Luzon, and over the seaboard of Cavite, Mindoro Occidental, and over the western coast of Batangas due to the possible big waves generated by the southwest monsoon,” PAGASA said.

Heavy monsoon rains enhanced by Maring drenched the province of Ilocos Sur.

Officials said three children were rescued in San Ildefonso town in the province as they were being carried away by rampaging floodwaters.

All types of vehicles were not able to traverse the highway in San Ildefonso town due to the floods.

Most part of the town of Narvacan, also in the province, was also flooded.

Officials ordered the preemptive evacuation of several families in low-lying areas of the town due to the rising floodwaters.

PAGASA is also monitoring the water level in several dams in Northern Luzon due to the heavy rains. -Teddy Molina, Raymund Catindig